Massage machine



April 23, 1929. ss 1,710,643

MASSAGE MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. Rows/er h. /7HSJLR.

BY WWW 134115.123, 1929- R. H. HASSLER ,643

MASSAGE MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I 34 45% Z3 34 7-7 0 I I ZZ 3 V 17 37 Z 51 2 \'lm IN VEN TOR ROBERT HHJJZL'K.

April 23, 1929. R H, HASSLER 1,710,643

MAS SAGE MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 By AT? EY5.

Patented Apr. 23, 1929.

UNITED STAT S noun a. mssnna, or mnmmironxs, manna.

mssaen momma Application fled mms, 1921. Serial Io. 224,061.

This invention relates to a massage machine for massaging, rubbing or mampulating the seal of the human head of the general type shown and described in\ my co pending ap lications, Serial N 0. 136,421,

filed Septem er 20, 1926;.Serial No. 166,414,

filed Februar -7, 1927; and Serial No.

204,995, filed uly 7, 1927.-

Medical authorities recognize that massag treatment for the scalp is quite beneficia in its effects, either for restoring a diseased scalp to a healthy state or for maintaining normal nutrition. It has been found that by first stretching and loosening the scalp thoroly and then by actually hfting it from the bony portion of the skull, that a much greater supply of bloodis permitted to rush to the tiny arteries which,

could not otherwise et a su ply of blood considered adequate for benetiizial results.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a simple and desirable hand operated massage machine that is capable of stretching, loosening and lifting the scalp in a manner similar to that described in the above mentioned co-pending applications, which machine will be inexpensive to manufacture, neat and attractive in appearance; a

I have found that after the scalp has been lifted in the above stated manner, that the treatment is much more effective if the scalp is held in a lifted position thruout a period of time, during which time a supply arteries that have otherwise been deprived of nourishment, and that could not be supplied by the more common rapid alternate lifting and lowering massage movements. Very beneficial results are obtained by alternately giving the scalp a few vigorous massage strokes and then holding the scalp I of blood is permitted to seep into the small A further feature of the invention resides in providing .the machine with a device which has adjustable means ada ted to fit either under the) chin or back 0 the head, so as to ass ist the natural holding or grip ping action of the machine for firmly maintaming the scalp in lifted osition, so that one may remove ones han s entirely'from the .machine, and it will continue to hold the scalp in a lifted position.

' Still a further feature of the invention resides in providing a machine which may be employed for giving the seal a few vigorous massaging strokes and t en be me chanically held in a locked position for the purposeof. holding the scalp in a contracted or lifted position, and worn that way for a period of time, after which the massage operations and the operation of locking itin the contracted osition may be repeated at intervals when desired. a i

A still further feature of the invention' resides in providing a machine which is constructed so that the portion of the actuator means gripped by the hands, is so disposed and operated, that the pressure exerted by the hands for operating the device will simultaneously maintain a pressure on the scalp, whereby at no time during normal oscillatory movements of the actuator means, is the contact pressure on the scalp lessened.

Still another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a manually operated machine, in which the mechanism is so connected as to produce a synchronized movement of the opposed massage elements when in operation. 4

Another feature of the invention resides in arranging the massagin elements and 95 attaching them to the machine so that they are capable of being easily ad'usted to fit various shapes and sizes of hea s.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description 100 proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and the arrangement of parts and in the details ofconstruction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodimentof the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description andclaims: I

Fig. 1 is a plan view looking down upon the machine. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine showing it applied to the human seal Fi 3 is an end elevation showing t e m'ac ine applied to the human scalp. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a position of the actuator lever in the outward or opposite oint of extreme travel, from that illustrate in Fig.

2. Fig. 5 is a fragmentar view looking down on the assembled mac ine with parts broken away. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the reciprocating member. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary end view of the assembled machine with parts shown in central vertical section. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the synchronizing gear with the lever attached thereto having a portion thereof shown in cross-section. Fig. 9 is a partial section taken on the line 99 of F g. 4. Fig. 10 is a section taken on the line 1010 of Fig. 2. Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 4. Fig. 12 is a section taken on line 12-12.of Fi 4. Fig. 13 is a side elevation of one of t e synchronizing gears viewed as indicated by the line 1313 of Fig. 8. Fig. 14 is a section taken on the line 1414 of Fig. 6. Fig. 15 is a side elevational view with parts broken away, showing the tension sprin of the control ling pawl. Fig. 16 is a mo ified form showing the arrangement of the head strap mounted so as to pass about the back of the head. Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the controlling pawl.

In the drawings-11 designates a central or stationary housing, the ends of which extend at an angle to each other, and for the best results are set at an angle of approximately 90 degrees. The central portion of the housing is formed hollow, having walls 1212, so as to permit the assembling of and enclosing therein, a portion of the driving mechanism. The lower or end portions of the housing are each provided with a pair of parallel pins or guide bars 13, which are rigidly secured thereto and ada ted to extend outwardly therefrom. Pro ecting also from each of the end portions, and formed integral therewith, is a bracket 14,each bracket being provided with a bearing or journal 15. The housing 11-includes with the wall 11, a detachable cover which serves to more completely enclose the hollow portion between the walls, it being secured in place by means of a plurality of screws 17.

Pinion gears 18 are journaled between the walls 12-, and are so spaced that the teeth in the respective gears are in constant mesh with each other. Formed integral with each of the pinions 18 are levers 19, the outer portion of which are provided with apertures. Connecting rods 21 are pivotally attached to the levers 19 by means of clevis pins 22, which are inserted in the apertures.

Slidably mounted on each pair of guide bars 13, so as to freely reci rocate thereon, there is a reciprocating mem r 23 (see Fig. 6). These members are provided with a pair of c lindrical openings 24, adapted to receive t e guide bars 13 so as to slide thereon. Positioned transversely of the cylindrical openings 24, there is provided an aperture 25 adapted to have journaled therein, a pin 26. The pin is further inserted thru suitable openings in an end portion of the connecting rod 21. y

A pair of angularly disposed spreadihg arms 27 is carried by each of the reciprocating members 23, and in the present instance is formed integrally therewith. The said arms also extend downwardly at an angle to each other and support on the ends thereof the. massaging pads 28. Said massaging pads are connected by means of universal joints to the respective ends of the supporting arms 27, in the present instance, employing bald studs 29, socket members 30 and stud nuts 32 (as shown more clearly in Fig. 7).

To allow for variations in the size of human heads, an ad'ustment is provided in the form of a plurality of tapered apertures 31 in each of the arms 27, into any one of which the studs 29 may be inserted. A slot 33, made slightly larger in diameter than the threaded portion of the studs 29, and connecting the apertures 31, is provided so as to permit'the stud to slide therein when moved to releasing position.

An actuator lever 34 is fulcrumed on the bracket 14, the journal 15 being the fulcrum point of the lever movement. A journal pin 35 is inserted in the journal 15 and thru an intermediate opening in the lever 34. The upper portion of said lever is formed to receive a handle-bar 36, and the lower portion is formed into a yoke and is adapted for pivotally attaching thereto one end of a connecting link 37,employing a clevis pin 38 for a connecting medium. The op posite end of link 37 is adapted to pivotally attach tothe pin 26 of the reciprocating member 21.

A stop mechanism is provided in the form of a pawl 39 which is pivotally mounted at an intermediate point on the bracket. 14. An upwardly extending finger 40 is provided for conveniently setting the pawl in an engaging or disengaging position. .A tongue portion is formed on the free end of the pawl and is adapted to catch or engage with notches 42, provided in the connecting rod 21. A wire spring 43 is formed and anchored in such a position, at an intermediate point on the bracket 14, as to be constantly engaged in either one of grooves 44, provided in the pawl 36 adjacent the is usually made of an elastic material.

Both end ortions of the strap are adjustably attac ed to the outward y projecting portions of the brackets 46. Clamping dype of fasteners or buckles 49 are employe 1n the present instance for attaching means, the fasteners being anchored to the brackets and arranged in such a manner as to permit lacing into, and clamping therein, the end portions of the strap.

Referringto the modified structure shown in Fig. 16, the brackets 46 are provided with a downwardly and forwardly angular extension 50 to the end of which is secured the strap 48. This throws the upper ends of the strap forwardly of the head so as to ermit it to passabout the back of the head liehind the ears.

In operation, the handle-bars are gripped by the hands and oscillated thru an arc, approximating that illustrated in the drawings (see Fig. 2). The connecting link 37 serves to transmit the motion applied at the handles to the members 23. n applying the oscillatory movements toboth sides of the machine, the reciprocating members will be forced to slide on the guide bars 13 1n opposite directions and in an angular path toward and away from the housing 11.

When it is desired to hold the scalp in a pinched and lifted position the stop mechanism on the machine is set to automatically engage. The wing 40 is pushed over until the spring 43 snaps into one of the grooves 44, which exerts a pressure on the tongue portion 41 of the pawl and causes it to bear against the notches 42 of the connecting rod 21. On the inward stroke of the massage pads the connecting rod 21 is carried in the same direction, and as the notches 42 reach a predetermined inward point of travel, the pressure exerted from the spring 43, forces the tongue 41 down into the first of the several notches, thereby reacting against forces which tend'to push the pads in the opposite direction and holds the scalp in a lifted position. The wing 40 is pushed in the opposite direction for releasing the stop mechanism. ,If a tighter grip on the scalp is desired, the handles are moved inward far enough to cause the tongue on the pawl to engage in any one of the notches located on the connecting rod further toward the outer extremity.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that at no time during the normal operation of the device are the movements, or the position of the handle-bars such, that the lesson the pressure of the pads on the sca p. These handles areso' posltioned that adequate movement is transmitted-- to the pads by oscillatin short arcs of trave the chordsof whic arcs aresubstantially horizontal, which feature isclearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. By empoying these substantial ly horizontal pat of movement of the the operation of the device, is to force the pads more tightlyagainst the scalp by means of a downward pressure from the hands which would not be true if the chordsof said arcs were positioned in angular planes.

The meshing of the pinion gears, which are connected to the reciprocating members, results in the movement of both reciprocating members being synchronized, so that their alternate approach and separation from the central housing 11 are simultaneous. Altho the reciprocating members move in angular paths, toward and away from the central housing, due to the the universal mounting ofthe massage pads on the arms of the reciprocating members, a device is them thru relativel handle-bars, the natural tendency during provided wherein the pads can snugly follow the, contour of the scalp thruout their entire path of travel.

It can also be seen that the arrangement of the pads and the novel construction of the machine is such that when the stop mechanism is put into action, the forces or pressure reacting from the scalp, when in the pinched or lifted position, are such that the mechanism can be left on the head for an indefinite period of time without requiring further use of the operators hands. To assist in holding the device on the head and maintainin vided as clearly illustrated in Figs 2 and 3 of the drawings. With. the addition of such. a strap, the device is held more securely in place and permits more freedom on the part of one wearing the device for such a treatment; It has been found that the device is so self contained and its effects are so mild that thetime consumed in holding the scalp in the above described contracted position, can be advantageously employed in reading, writing or similar activities.

It may be further noted that one can treat the scalp easily in the moring when arising and upon retiring in the evening without much loss of time.

the scalp in a lifted or con-. tracted position, the strap 48 has been pro- The device is light in construction, easily applied, and being man- The invention claimed is: v

1. In a massage machine, a housing having laterally extending and angularly disposed-end portions, a pair of oppositely disposed reciporcating members mounted thereon, manually operated actuating levers mounted on each side of said housing adapted to reciprocate said members, laterally extending arms supported by said members, and a massaging element mounted on each of said arms. a

2. A massage machine adapted to operate on the human head, comprising a\housing extending downwardly on the sides of the head, a pair of movable massaging elements mounted on opposite sides of said housing in position to embrace the head, and manually operated handles connected with said housing for imparting movement to said elements, said handles being positioned on opposite sides of the head when in operation.

3. A massage machine adapted to operate upon a body having a substantially spherical surface, including a housing, a plurality of massaging elements mounted on opposite sides of said housing so as to reciprocate toward and away from each other, and ,a manually operated handle operatively connecting said elements and adapted to be manually reciprocated for causing said ele- I mentsto be similarly reciprocated through the manual movement thereof:

4. A manually operated massage machine,- having a housing, manually operated actuated-levers journaled on said housing, a pair of oppositely disposed reciprocating message elementsmounted on said housing, and a connecting rod attached to said actuating levers and elements, said actuating levers being adapted to impart an oppositely directed reciprocating motion to said elements through said rod.

5. A manually operated massage machine adapted to be applied to a body having a curved surface, comprising a housing, a pluralityof massage elements carried by said housing, and hand operated levers for moving each of said elements simultaneously toward and awa from said housing in angularly disposec planes substantiall tangent to the curved surface of said bo y.

6. A manually-operated massage machine adapted to operate upon a body having a substantially spherical surface, including a support, a plurality of massa ing elements mounted upon opposite sides of said support, a pair of operating handles mounted upon opposite sides of said support, and means connecting said operating handles with said elements for moving said elements toward each other upon said handles being moved away from each other and moving said elements away from each other upon said handles being moved toward each other, whereby said operation will cause a gripping and pinching action b said elements moving toward each other y reasonof the pressure exerted in moving said handles away from each other.

7. A manually o erated massage machine adapted to be app ied to a body having a curved surface, com rising a housing havm side portions exten ing at an angle to eac other, a pair of reciprocating members, a plurality of massaging pads carried by said members, and hand operated levers for moving each of said members and their pads simultaneously toward and away from said housing, said reciprocating members traveling in angularly disposed lanes corresponding to the angle of said portions of the housing.

8. A manually operated massage machine, a housing havin laterally extending and angularly disposed end portions, manually operated actuating levers journaled on said housing, a pair of oppositely disposed reciprocating members mounted on said housing, a connecting rod attached to said actuating levers and reciprocating members, laterally extending arms supported by said members and directed at an angle to each other, a massaging element for each of said arms, said actuating lever being adapted to impart an oppositely directed reciprocating motion to said reciprocating members.

9. A manually operated massage machine, a housing having laterally extending and angularly disposed end portions, actuating levers pivotally mounted on. said housing, a pair of oppositely disposed reciprocatlng members mounted on said housing, connecting rods attachedto said actuating levers and reciprocating members, laterally extending arms supported by said members and directed at an angle to each other, a massaging element for each of said arms, and a ball and socket connection therebetween, said actuating levers being adapted to impart an oppo sitely directed reciprocating motion to said reciprocating members.

10. A massage machine adapted to grip the scalp substantially about the hat band area, including a housing, a plurality of massaging pads, and manually operated actuating levers, said levers connected with said housing and pads being adapted to cause said pads to simultaneously approach and separate from each other for first gripping and drawing the scalp into lifted position and then releasing the same.

11. A manually operated massage machine adapted to operate upon the human head, comprising a housing, a plurality of reciprocating massaging pads, and a pair of actuator handles for reciprocating said pads, said handles being so positioned with respect to'said housing and pads as to continuously exert a pressure on t e scalp by the manual operation. thereof.

12. A massage machine comprising a pair of reci rocating members, means for movin each 0 said members simultaneously towar and away from each other, angularly extending arms mounted on said members, a massaging element for each of said arms, and means for adjustably securing said massaging elements to their res two arms in a predetermined position with respect thereto.

13. A massage machine, comprising a pair of reciprocating members, means for moving each of said members simultaneously toward and away from one another, and means for locking said reciprocating members in operated scalp gripping position for holding the massaging action.

14. In a manually operated massage machine adapted to be applied to a body having a curved surface comprising a housing, a pair of reciprocating members, a plurality of massage elements carried by said members, means for reci rocating said members and their massage e ements, and means for members in scalp locking said reciprocatingfin the ging gripping position for hol action. v

15. In a massage machine adapted to lift the scalp on the uman head, comprising a housing, reciprocating members, massage elements mounted on said members, means for actuating said reciprocating members, and locking means for locking said members in a redetermined position for holding the scalp in a lifted position thru a period of time.

16. A massage machine comprising a pair of reciprocating members, means for movin each of said members simultaneously toward and away from one another, and a awl and ratchet mechanism associated with said means for locking said reciprocating members in a predetermined position for holding the scalp in a lifted position thru a period of time.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto aflixed my signature.

ROBERT H. HASSLER. 

